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STATEMENT BY MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO ON THE DETAINMENT OF JOSE ANTONIO VARGAS

I stand in solidarity with journalist and advocate Jose Antonio Vargas—an exemplary man whose tireless work has helped raise awareness around the lives of millions of undocumented immigrants living on American soil.

Jose Antonio’s detainment today at a Texas airport, close to where he was working to document the plight of refugees, shows how our immigrant enforcement agencies are failing to use their discretion and detaining long-time immigrants who do not pose a threat to our security.

Jose Antonio has spent most of his life in the United States, he was educated by American schools, went on to receive a Pulitzer Prize while working as a journalist at the Washington Post, and eventually disclosed his undocumented status to advocate for a much-needed debate around citizenship.

He exemplifies what America is about. I call for his quick release and hope that he can stay in the country that has been his home and to which he has contributed so much.